Females in the AFL

[muzzington]

I don't think they're trying to push it as hard as you're saying, if at all.

[muzzington]

Basically, I do agree that it probably happens to some extent, in some fields more than others.

I don't think you raised the point in the correct way though. The subject needs to be all encompassing, not using female goal umpires as the crux of the arguement.

[trishan]

I don't think they're trying to push it as hard as you're saying, if at all.

I've heard it from the horses mouth muzz. More than one male umpires who are currently trying to get into AFL level and who I happen to know have expressed concern that they will not be given fair treatment as the AFL have flagged their interest to select female field umpires.

Basically, I do agree that it probably happens to some extent, in some fields more than others.

I don't think you raised the point in the correct way though. The subject needs to be all encompassing, not using female goal umpires as the crux of the arguement.

That's fair enough.

[trishan]

One of my umpiring buddies who is currently lurking wanted me to point out that Chelsea Roffey was originally selected to AFL level for the 2006 "Pink Lady Game" which was to raise funds for breast cancer.

[muzzington]

It doesn't concern me that the AFL might be leaning more towards brining a female field umpire into the fold, even if they have less experience than their male counterpart. They won't select someone who does more harm that good in showing that women can do the same job.

If their history with goal umpires is any evidence, the won't rush a bunch of women in just to prove a point. The umpires they have brought in have done a good job.

[muzzington]

One of my umpiring buddies who is currently lurking wanted me to point out that Chelsea Roffey was originally selected to AFL level for the 2006 "Pink Lady Game" which was to raise funds for breast cancer.

An article I read said she umpired her first AFL game in 2004.

Anyone who feels they missed out because of unfair reasons is going to have an axe to grind.

[trishan]

One of my umpiring buddies who is currently lurking wanted me to point out that Chelsea Roffey was originally selected to AFL level for the 2006 "Pink Lady Game" which was to raise funds for breast cancer.

An article I read said she umpired her first AFL game in 2004.

Hmm ok. I am not sure personally.

[Scotty]

One of my umpiring buddies who is currently lurking wanted me to point out that Chelsea Roffey was originally selected to AFL level for the 2006 "Pink Lady Game" which was to raise funds for breast cancer.

Interesting, given she first umpired an AFL game in 2004.

[muzzington]

One of my umpiring buddies who is currently lurking wanted me to point out that Chelsea Roffey was originally selected to AFL level for the 2006 "Pink Lady Game" which was to raise funds for breast cancer.

An article I read said she umpired her first AFL game in 2004.

Anyone who feels they missed out because of unfair reasons is going to have an axe to grind.

Just as I might have a different point of view because I have to thank Nepotism for a lot.

[maccatak11]

Yes. The issue was actually raised by one of my umpiring friends who worked his way through junior and amateur leagues but due to the competition for positions has not made it to the AFL. Basically there are a large number of more qualified and experienced males who are rejected from umpiring the AFL (due to competition for the few available spots).

Your friend would say that.

Is experience the only thing? what about talent? "Ive done it for longer, therefore i deserve to be in the AFL" is not a valid argument.

How do you know if people are 'more qualified'. Surely all AFL goal umpires do the same sorts of training and groundwork before being selected in matches.

Why did you not mention that you had 'inside information' from a friend who was an umpire in the OP? Would change the whole argument, and just proves that the only reason you post threads like this is to stir some sh*t and nothing else.

You were misinformed in that you basically were making incorrect assumptions about how goal umpires are trained and selected, and you made out as if this particular umpire was 'new and inexperienced' when in fact 6 years of experience is probably more than most.

Do you really honestly think that the AFL, persistent in 'pushing' inferior standard female umpires into the AFL based on tokenism would be stupid enough and stubborn enough to continue to do this for probably ten years now if it wasn't working? Are you saying that a multi-million dollar organisation would continue with some tokenistic experiment at the possible expense of the professionalism of the biggest sport in Australia?

You really are living in a fantasy land on this one mate.